By: Momodou Justice Darboe
The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said it has yet to receive any direct official communication from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, announcing their intention to withdraw from the regional bloc.
“The attention of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission) has been drawn to a statement broadcast on the National Televisions of Mali and Niger announcing the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS,” the ECOWAS Commission said in a communique on Sunday.
“The ECOWAS Commission is yet to receive any direct formal notification from the three Member States about their intention to withdraw from the Community,” stated the communique.
“The ECOWAS Commission, as directed by the Authority of Heads of State and Government, has been working assiduously with these countries for the restoration of constitutional order. Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali remain important members of the Community and the Authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse,” it added.
“The ECOWAS Commission remains seized with the development and shall make further pronouncements as the situation evolves,” concluded the communique.
It would be recalled that ECOWAS sometime last year threatened to intervene militarily in Niger if the military juntathere refused to restore deposed President Muhammad Bazoum.
However, after several days of shuttle diplomacy between the cities of West Africa and Abuja, the regional bloc backtracked on its threat, leaving many thinking ECOWAS has been emasculated in the face of the resurgence of coups de tat in the sub-region.